The Moulton Police Department started investigating reports of animal cruelty at the site after a former worker showed photos and video of the facility to police and published them online. The property owner, Bobbie Taylor, said she did nothing wrong. She said many of the animals were ill before they arrived.

A spokeswoman for the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Anita Edson, said volunteers will continue Saturday removing remaining animals from the site. The Lawrence County Commission has canceled its $80,000-a-year contract with Taylor.